Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Energy, Exercise 9: Questions

Nuclear power is one potential energy source that does not involve fossil fuels. Current nuclear technology is dependent on fission reactions. Nuclear technology developed very rapidly between 1940 and 1970. Outline why this occurred.

Nuclear power is one potential energy source that does not involve fossil fuels. Current nuclear technology is dependent on fission reactions. The equation for a possible nuclear fission reaction is:
${}_{92}{}^{235}\mathrm{U}+ {}_1{}^0\mathrm{n} \to {}_{38}{}^{90}\mathrm{Sr} +{}_{54}{}^{136}\mathrm{Xe} + 10 {}_0{}^1\mathrm{n}$

The masses of the particles involved in the fission reaction are shown below:

mass of neutron$= 1.00867 \mathrm{u}$

mass of $\mathrm{U}-235$ nucleus$= 234.99333 \mathrm{u}$

mass of $\mathrm{Xe}-136$ nucleus $= 135.90722 \mathrm{u}$

mass of $\mathrm{Sr}-90$ nucleus $= 89.907 74 \mathrm{u}$

Determine the energy released when one uranium nucleus undergoes fission according to the reaction above.

Nuclear power is one potential energy source that does not involve fossil fuels. Current nuclear technology is dependent on fission reactions. The half-life of strontium-$90$ is $28.8$ years. Calculate the number of years required for its radioactivity to fall to $10\%$ of its initial value.

Nuclear fuels require the enrichment of natural uranium. Explain how this process is carried out including the underlying physical principle.

Nuclide X has a half-life of $1$ day and nuclide Y has a half-life of $5$ days. In a particular sample, the activities of X and Y are found to be equal. When the activity is tested again after $10$ days, the activity will be

Which one of the following diagrams best illustrates the first two stages of an uncontrolled fission chain reaction?

 When ammonia gas, ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$ reacts with hydrogen chloride gas, $\mathrm{HCl}$ the white solid ammonium chloride, ${\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{Cl}$ is formed:

The apparatus shown in figure was set up to test Graham's law. A metre stick is placed beside the tube. Cotton wool soaked in ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$ is placed in the left-hand end and cotton wool soaked in $\mathrm{HCl}$ is placed in the right-hand end. A white cloud of solid appears where the $\mathrm{HCl}$ and ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$ meet. Assuming the NH3 end to be $0.00$ m and the $\mathrm{HCl}$end to be $1.00$ m on the metre stick, calculate the position at which you would expect the solid $\mathrm{NH}4\mathrm{Cl}$ to appear.

Draw the Lewis (electron dot) structure of the superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Explain what a radical is and the steps involved in a radical chain reaction. Explain how radioactivity can cause the initiation step.